Monday, April 27, 2015

It is difficult to express in words how much The Morgenstern Project moved my thoughts and emotions. I received a copy from Eidelwess and really took my time reading it. I tried to digest it slowly because this was Morg's story. It was told simultaneously alternating between Morg's past and Morg's current life as he fights on the current front against the Consortium's machinations and his fight to distance himself from the Bleiberg project. Morg is this larger than life Mossad agent who hunts war criminals, typically those from World War II.

In The Morgenstern Project Morg meets up again with Jackie and Jeremy whom we met in the first book, The Bleiberg Project. They developed a deep bond with Eytan Morgenstern in that story which continues though they have not seen him since the events in that book ended. Jackie and Jeremy are targeted by a faction of the U.S. government who have been made aware of Morg's longevity and they want to study him and are willing to use whatever means they can to capture him, including targeting his friends and whatever family he may have. As the story progresses Eli tells the story of how he met Morg and how their lives had intertwined throughout the many years. We also meet more of Morg's family and as they fight this new front created by The Consortium we step through Morg's childhood and learn about his history.

The Morgenstern Project is the best of the series so far. As far as I can tell the series grows in character development, story development and David Khara, the author, grows in writing, story and character development skills as well. The book is full of excitement, action and the technology and niche of this story regarding Morg's physical abilities. As I read about Morg's past and the current story I was struck with a huge sadness for what he and the people of Poland went through during World War II and for what some of the story depicted during the current day part of the story. The Morgenstern Project draws you into everyone's lives in the story. At one point I was literally moved to tears and that is not something that easily occurs for me when reading a story, but David Khara wrote a very moving story and I look forward to seeing what happens next.

Interview with David S. Khara - Author of The Consortium Thriller Series

Question 1. I have a huge fascination with books about the Mossad. Why did you write Morg as a Jewish person working for the Mossad? Given the area where part of the book takes place why not someone who was Polish or German?

Eytan works for Mossad at the beginning of the series, but he insists on the fact that he is Polish. In The Bleiberg Project, where his origins are told, it is specified that he was born in a little village in Poland. Actually, after what he went through with Bleiberg’s experiments, Eytan considers himself a shield against barbarism and fascism. Being Jewish is the reason he was sent to Warsaw’s Ghetto, but religion means little to this man, since no god showed up to save him as a child. Eytan works with those who hunt war criminals, which is why he works for Mossad. In The Shiro Project, we learn that Eytan leaves England in the 1950s to join Mossad. And in The Morgenstern Project, it becomes obvious that Eytan works with Mossad, and not for it. Who knows with which organization he has worked before, and which one he will work with in the future…

Question 2. Do you have an inspiration for how the story flows? For example, did you know from the start of the series how things would go for Morg and then fill in the story or are there things you see or read about in the news that drives how the story goes?

I knew from the very start of The Bleiberg Project what the final sentence of The Morgenstern Project would be. I had in mind the whole trilogy. Well, not exactly all of it. I have what I call checkpoints, key scenes that will tell the reader about the characters, about history and science. My story has to reach these checkpoints, but I never entirely know how to reach them. I then let the characters decide which road they’ll take.

Question 3. Morg reads as a very attractive man who obviously feels attraction to women. Has he ever had a love interest or always been single without a relationship?

That is a very interesting question indeed! In The Shiro Project, there was some tension between Eytan and Elena, but certainly no love story. Let me rephrase your question: Has Eytan ever been in love, or even shared someone’s life? I think you’ll have to wait for the next books to find out.

Question 4. Is there one thing you would have loved to write in the series that just did not fit so you had to leave it out, for example, a removed scene that you love but you left out?

Every single scene I’ve had in mind ended up in the books. There are more scenes and more things to learn about Eytan, but you’ll have to be patient…

Question 5. Do you have any sources in Israel or with the Mossad to help you with the rules and research or is it mainly research basis from written materials?

If I had sources in Israel or with the Mossad or any other secret agency, do you think I’d really tell you? J

Question 6. Do you ever envision yourself writing something that focuses on espionage based in France and the French version of Mossad?

I doubt I’ll ever write a story that takes place in France. I have issues letting my imagination go within my own country. Also, travelling with my readers is also my pleasure. Last but not least, I love the US, and I’ll keep writing stories that take place in the Land of the Free!

Question 7. What is one thing about Morg that you would like us to know that may not necessarily come across the way you would like in the books?

Believe me, nothing will be left aside about Eytan. J

Question 8. What is next for you after writing such a great series?

I’m currently working on a thriller that deals with tax evasion and nuclear material trafficking. Once I’m done with it, I’ll start working on Eytan’s return!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Shiro project David KharaFrench author David Khara, a former journalist, top-level sportsman, and entrepreneur, is a full-time writer. Khara wrote his first novel—a vampire thriller—in 2010, before starting his Consortium thriller series. The first thriller in the series, The Bleiberg Project, was an instant success in France, catapulting Khara into the ranks of the country’s top thriller writers.

ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR Sophie Weiner is a freelance translator and book publishing assistant from Baltimore, Maryland. After earning degrees in French from Bucknell University and New York University, Sophie went on to complete a master’s in literary translation from the Sorbonne, where she focused her thesis on translating wordplay in works by Oulipo authors. She has translated and written for web-based companies dedicated to art, cinema, and fashion as well as for nonprofit organizations. Growing up with Babar, Madeline, and The Little Prince, Sophie was bitten by the Francophile bug at an early age, and is fortunate enough to have lived in Paris, Lille, and the Loire Valley.

*** You can enter the global giveaway here or on any other book blogs participating in this tour. Be sure to follow each participant on Twitter/Facebook, they are listed in the entry form below.

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About Me

I am a techie and adjunct professor who just completed my PhD in Information Systems with a specialization in Information Security. I love to travel in Europe, read urban fantasy, high fantasy, mystery/thrillers, and sometimes even romance as long as it has a plot.